A recurring payment—also referred to as a subscription payment, recurring billing, or automatic payment—is an electronically processed payment that repeats according to a preset schedule. Businesses often set these up to collect fees for memberships, subscriptions, lessons, and services. The easiest way to accept recurring payments is with an all-in-one payment processor or merchant account…
How To
How to Accept Apple Pay in 5 Steps
The leading contactless payment system, Apple Pay, lets your customers pay via their Apple Watch or iPhone (iOS 6 and higher). It is secure for both merchants and customers and costs merchants the same processing fees as regular credit cards. Accepting Apple Pay starts with choosing a compatible payment processor, purchasing a near-field communication (NFC)…
How to Get a Free Business Phone Number in 4 Easy Steps
A business phone number enhances a company’s professional image and lets customers communicate directly with the organization. Small businesses seek free business phone numbers to reduce customer service costs. Learn how to get a free business phone number by following these steps: decide which type of number you need, select a provider, sign up for…
Getting a Business Loan to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
I’ll walk you through the process of getting a loan to pay off credit card debts, from considering your current credit card debt obligations and comparing lenders to applying for financing, signing the lender’s agreement, and obtaining the funds. By using a business loan to pay off credit card debt, you can optimize your cash…
How to Consolidate Business Debt
I’ll walk you through how to consolidate business debt and help you understand the nuances involved in the process—from determining the total amount needed to pay off existing loans and finding a lender, to applying for a loan and ensuring proper payoff of your old accounts. Business debt consolidation can provide multiple benefits, such as…
Peer-to-Peer Lending: How It Works & Its Benefits
Peer-to-peer lending, or P2P lending for short, is a way for borrowers to get loans from other individuals, rather than a bank or other traditional lending institution. It’s often used by borrowers who either are unable to qualify for a traditional bank loan or cannot secure the type of financing they’re looking for. Due to…
How to Start a Consignment Shop in 9 Steps
To start a consignment shop, as with any business, you’ll need a prime storefront and a strategy for acquiring customers and merchandise. It involves choosing a niche, establishing a budget and business plan, finding merchandise and laying out your store, advertising, staffing up, and, finally, opening to the public. Here’s how to start a consignment…
Can I Open a Business Bank Account Without an EIN?
If your business is organized as a sole proprietorship or a single-member LLC, it’s technically possible to open a business bank account without an EIN, also known as a Federal Tax ID, but it’s not advisable. Even if your business structure doesn’t require an EIN to open a bank account, there are vital reasons to…